Kerala MP Asks If Centre Proposes to Declare Hamas as Terror Outfit in India

Kerala Congress leader Kumbakudi Sudhakaran on Friday asked if the Centre had any proposal to declare Hamas as a terrorist organisation in the country in the wake of the deadly October 7 attack on Israel. The Kerala MP also inquired whether the Israeli government has raised any demand to India to declare Hamas a terrorist outfit.

A written response submitted to the Lok Sabha appeared on social media which said that the “designation of an organisation as terrorist is covered under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) and declaring any organisation as terrorist is considered as per the provisions of the Act by the relevant government departments”. The answer was attributed to Union minister of state Meenakshi Lekhi as per a Lok Sabha document shared by a journalist but the Union minister on Saturday denied answering any question related to Hamas.

People familiar with the developments said a correction will be made and said it was a procedural issue.

“You have been misinformed as I have not signed any paper with this question and this answer,” Lekhi said, denying she answered the question tabled by Kerala Congress leader Kumbakudi Sudhakaran.

The question, posed by Sudhakaran, comes in the wake of the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict. Some 1,200 people died on the Israeli side during Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. The Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said the death toll in the territory has surpassed 17,100, with more than 46,000 wounded. The United Nations said 1.87 million people have been driven from their homes since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, triggered by the deadly Oct. 7 Hamas assault.

India has raised concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East, which has caused a large-scale loss of civilian lives, especially women and children. New Delhi has stated that the immediate trigger of the war was the “terror attacks” in Israel on 7th October, which deserve unequivocal condemnation.

India believes there can be no justifications for terrorism and hostage-taking. It has urged all parties to work towards creating conditions necessary for peace and promised to continue to support the Palestinian people through its bilateral development partnership.

(With inputs from Shailendra Wangu)